Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
  • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
  • B65D47/2056—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type
  • B65D47/2062—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve stem
  • B65D47/2075—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve stem in which the stem is raised by the pressure of the contents and thereby opening the valve
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
  • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
  • B65B61/20—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
  • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
  • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
  • B65D41/02—Caps or cap-like covers without lines of weakness, tearing strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices
  • B65D41/04—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers secured by rotation
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5861—Spouts
  • B65D75/5872—Non-integral spouts
  • B65D75/5883—Non-integral spouts connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
  • B65D85/72—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials

Definitions

• This invention relates to a spout for pouch for liquid or semi-dense substances, generally for food use, such as fruit juices, yoghurt, fruit or vegetable purees and the like.
• the purpose of this invention is to provide a spout for a pouch with valve device able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and meet the above-mentioned needs .
• FIG. 1 is a pouch-spout assembly provided with a spout according to this invention
• Figure 2 shows the spout of Figure 1, in separate parts, provided with an obturator device comprising valve means according to this invention
• Figure 3 shows a side view of the spout of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows a side view of the table and the adjustable leg of Figure 3;
• FIG. 5 is a plan view from above of the spout of Figure 3, along the section line V-V of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 shows a side view of the obturator device of Figure 2;
• Figure 7 shows a plan view from below of the obturator device of Figure 6;
• FIG. 8 is a section view of the obturator device of Figure 6, along the section line V-V of Figure 7;
• 1 generally indicates a spout for a pouch, in particular a spout for a flexible pouch 100.
• the flexible pouch 100 consists of two films 102 of a multi-layer material, bonded along the edges .
• the pouch provides lateral bellows sides, also typically made with multi-layer film.
• the spout 1 extends substantially along a longitudinal axis X and comprises, from the part that remains inside the pouch 100 to the outside, an entrance -po-r-ti-on—2-,- a- -conne i..ing-_p.o.r_t.io.n__4_.a d_a_fina.l portion 6.
• the spout 1 comprises a conduit 8, usually, of a circular cylindrical shape, that extends along the longitudinal axis X, between a mouth 10 of the entrance portion 2 and an opening 12 of the final portion 6, annularly bounded by a crown 12a, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.
• the connecting portion 4 is preferably formed by a pair of facing walls 14, with prevailing extension in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, joined at the ends. These walls form two outwardly engaging surfaces 16 intended for coupling the films of the pouch 100.
• the engaging surfaces 16 are joined to the films 102 by bonding, thus forming a pouch-spout assembly .
• the final portion 6 comprises a tube 18, which extends along the longitudinal axis X, coaxial with the conduit 8.
• the final portion 6 further comprises a threading 20 for screwing a cap 200, realized, for example, by sections of interrupted threading .
• the tube is suitable for stable pressure coupling or fitting with a cap .
• the cap 200 for the spout 1 comprises an outer annular wall 202, which surrounds the tube 18 and, for example, is provided with threading for engagement with the threading 20 of the spout 1.
• the cap 200 further comprises a bottom 204 suitable to close the opening 12 and, at the other end, a tamper-evident seal 206.
• the cap 200 includes an annular sealing lip 208, axially projecting from the bottom 204 and suitable to penetrate into the tube 18 through the opening 12, to form a seal with the tube 18.
• the final portion 6 of the spout 1 comprises an engaging portion 22 suitable to engage with the tamper-evident seal 206 of the cap 200, to realize an anti-rotation constraint of said tamper-evident seal.
• the spout 1 comprises valve means housed in the tube 18 and suitable to prevent the exit of the contents from — e- -po-u-G-h- -w-he-n- an- -act.i.on_act.ing_ _o.n_ _s.a.i_d_ valve means is lower than a predetermined action and to allow the exit of the contents when the action acting on said valve means is greater than a predetermined action.
• Said valve means comprise an obturator housing 30 placed in the tube 18, for example in the final portion 6 of the spout 1.
• the obturator housing 30 is realized by a wall of the annular housing 32, radially projecting internally from the inner surface of the tube 18.
• Said obturator housing 30 identifies an upward line 30a in the tube 18 in communication with the interior of the pouch 100 through the mouth 10 of the spout 1, and a downward line 30b, in communication with the external environment through the opening 12 of the spout 1.
• said housing wall 32 is made in a single piece with the tube 18.
• valve means comprise a sensitive obturator device 40, housed in the tube 18, engageable with the obturator housing 30, to close or open said obturator housing 40 according to said action exerted by the contents.
• the obturator device 40 comprises an obturator group 42 sealingly engageable in the obturator housing 30, comprising an obturator 44, for example realized by an annular wall, for example provided with an outer -t-r-un.c.a-t.e.dn.c.Qn ca.L s.u.rf.a_c_e_ __4_4_a_ that engages with the housing wall 32 by contact.
• the obturator group 42 comprises an abutment 46, for example realized by a plate, suitable to go in abutment to define the closed position of the obturator 44 with respect to the obturator housing 30, for example in abutment with the housing wall 32.
• abutment 46 for example realized by a plate, suitable to go in abutment to define the closed position of the obturator 44 with respect to the obturator housing 30, for example in abutment with the housing wall 32.
• the obturator 44 is placed upstream of the abutment 46 relative to the direction of output of the contents, for example projecting axially from said abutment 46.
• the obturator group 42 comprises a guide body 48 suitable to guide the translation of the obturator 44 with respect to the obturator housing 30.
• the guide body 48 is active upstream of the obturator 44, projecting axially with respect to said obturator 44.
• said guide body 48 projects axially from the abutment 46.
• the guide body 48 comprises a plurality of tabs 50 extending radially, ending externally in a guide limit surface 52 radially internal with respect to the outer surface 44a of the obturator 44 in engagement with the obturator housing 30.
• the guide limit surface 52 has a first portion 52a, axially flanked to the outer surface 44a,
• the guide body 48 comprises three tabs
• the obturator device 40 further comprises elastic means suitable to operate permanently on the obturator group 42 to keep it in a closing position of the obturator housing 30 by means of a closing action.
• said elastic means comprise at least one elongated member 50 that extends axially, for example downstream of the obturator group 42, compressible.
• the elongated member 50 extends axially from the obturator group 42, for example from the abutment 46, and preferably is wrapped with a helical trend, for example conical, around the longitudinal axis X. In other words, the elongated element 50 is twisted along the longitudinal axis X.
• said elastic means comprise a pair of elongated elements 50, arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis X.
• the longitudinal section of the elongated member 50 ( Figure 9), i.e., the section obtainable through an imaginary section plane containing the longitudinal axis X, has a polygonal shape, preferably quadrangular and, in particular, trapezoidal, wherein an outer edge 62 is rectilinear, an inner edge 64 is rectilinear and parallel to the outer edge 62, and lower 66 and upper 68 edges are rectilinear .
• each elongated element 50 has an outer surface 50a (on which lie the said outer edges 62 of the multiple elongated sections formed by the elongated element 50 with the imaginary plane) and an inner surface 50b (on which lie the said inner edges 64 of the multiple sections formed by the elongated element 50 with the imaginary plane) .
• Said outer surfaces 50a lie on a single imaginary conical outer surface; in the same way, said inner surfaces 50a lie on a single imaginary conical inner surface .
• the obturator device 40 comprises an abutment member 70 which provides the abutment for the elastic means.
• the abutment member is made from a ring, formed in one piece, for example by moulding, with said elongated elements 50.
• -[005-]-Pre-f-e-ra-biy-, -s-a-i-d- -a-bu-tme-n-fe- member —7-0- comprises _a. plurality of safety projections 72, radially protruding outwards, suitable to lock abutment member 70 inside the tube 18.
• the obturator device 40 is made in a single piece, for example by moulding.
• valve means comprise retaining means for retaining the obturator device 40 inside the tube 18.
• said retaining means comprise an annular projection 80, for example placed in proximity of the opening 12, suitable to produce an undercut for the snap engagement of the abutment 70 in the tube 18.
• Said annular projection 80 projects radially internally from the inner surface of the tube 18.
• said annular projection 80 is made in a single piece with the tube 18.
• the packing 100 provided with the spout 1 without the obturator device 40 is brought to filling machines that fill it with the desired contents.
• the obturator device 40 is inserted in the tube 18 so that the obturator group 42 engages the obturator housing 30; in particular, the obturator 44 closes the obturator housing 30 and the abutment 46 abuts with the housing wall 32.
• the abutment element 70 snaps into the undercut with respect to the annular projection 80, thus remaining locked in the tube 18.
• cap 200 is applied to the tube 18 and screwed, to the spout.
• the obturator 44 sealingly engages the obturator housing 30 and is subject to the closing action exerted by the elastic means, placed in compression between the abutment 46 and the abutment element 70.
• the cap 200 is disengaged from the drinking spout, for example unscrewed.
• the child intends to drink the contents of the pouch, it brings the tube to its mouth and, for example, sucks the contents.
• This causes low pressure in the tube 18, downstream of the obturator 44, which generates an external opening action on the obturator 44; when such external action overcomes the closing action of the elastic means, the obturator 44 moves and disengages from the obturator housing 30 (for example, lifts from it), allowing the exit of the contents from the pouch.
• the obturator device 40 is suitable to disengage from the obturator, housing 30 under the -tn-f-l-u-e-n-ee- s-f- -a-n- -open-i-ng- -action. _c.axxi.e_d. _o_ut_ by_ _a depression acting in the downward line 30b greater than a predetermined closing action of the elastic means.
• the child could bring the tube to its mouth and squeeze the flexible pouch. This causes an overpressure in the tube 18, upstream of the obturator 44, which generates an internal opening action on the obturator 44; when such internal action overcomes the closing action of the elastic means, the obturator 44 disengages from the obturator housing 30 (for example, lifts from it) , allowing the exit of the contents from the pouch.
• the obturator device 40 is suitable to disengage from the obturator housing 30 under the influence of an opening action carried out by an overpressure acting in the upward line 30a greater than a predetermined closing action of the elastic means.
• the child could bring the tube to its mouth and such from the tube 18 and, at the same time, squeeze the flexible pouch.
• the obturator 44 would be subject both to the external action of the low pressure and the internal squeezing action.
• the flow of the contents towards the outside is first limited; - s-u- s q-ue-n-t-l-y-,- when. the. obt-u.ra-t.or_ h.a.s_ C-ome_c.ompl.e_t_e.l_y_ _o_u_t_ of the obturator housing, the guide group realizes, through the tabs 50, passage conduits that facilitate the exit of the contents.
• the further distancing of the obturator from the obturator housing is, in any case, guided by the guide body, as well as the approach and subsequent engagement with the obturator housing, when the opening action ceases .
• the flexible pouch could also be overturned, accidentally or according to the positions in which the child drinks the contents; in this case, the weight of the contents generates an internal opening action on said obturator 44; the elastic means are structured and dimensioned such that the external action due to the weight of the contents alone is not able to overcome the closing action exerted by the elastic means.
• the spout according to this invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art in that it is particularly comfortable to use both when the child sucks the contents of the pouch from the spout and when it squeezes the pouch.
• the spout is very reliable in operation, since the disengagement of the obturator from the obturator housing is properly guided, as well as the- -subs-eque-n-t e-n-g-a-g-eme-n-t- -a-l-s-o tha-n-ks- -t.o--t.he_ in3 ⁇ 4:i_t.a_ti_Qn_ realized by the shape of the outer surface of the tabs.
• the spout is safe to use because the obturator device is inserted in the tube and is locked inside by the undercut created by the abutment member with the annular projections and the safety projections.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Bag Frames (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=50693750

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (9)

Family Cites Families (40)

• 2015
  • 2015-02-26 JP JP2016558182A patent/JP2017508682A/ja not_active Ceased
  • 2015-02-26 WO PCT/IB2015/051428 patent/WO2015145277A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-02-26 CN CN201580016120.3A patent/CN106132840A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-02-26 RU RU2016141735A patent/RU2016141735A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2015-02-26 AU AU2015237870A patent/AU2015237870A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2015-02-26 US US15/128,373 patent/US20170107024A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2015-02-26 EP EP15715415.4A patent/EP3122650A1/en not_active Withdrawn

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